BELLE BELLE is a smart, confident young woman from a small village. We are looking for a strong singer and actress. Ideally, she should be able to transition from her chest voice to a chest voice/head voice mix comfortably. Belle needs to be able to stand up to Gaston (and the Beast!) as well as those who don’t seem to understand her, while being able to show compassion for her father, the Servants, and eventually the Beast. Suggested Vocal Audition: “Home”
MAURICE MAURICE is an eccentric, older inventor, yet more importantly, the adoring and protective father or mother of Belle. This non-solo singing role is perfect for the student who can have fun interpreting this “crazy old inventor” while conveying some very strong emotions: fear and love. Suggested Vocal Audition: "Kill the Beast", "Be Our Guest"
BEAST/PRINCE The BEAST is the master of the castle who was transformed by the Enchantress’s spell. A dictator, a hurt child, a hero, a defender and a smitten prince. We are looking for an actor who can deliver a range of conflicting emotional states. Strong actor or actress. Suggested Vocal Audition: "Kill the Beast", "Be Our Guest"
GASTON GASTON is pompous and dim-witted and will do whatever it takes to win Belle’s hand. Gaston has all the confidence in the world, but lacks the humility to balance it. A strong singing and speaking voice and acting ability are more important than size and stature for this role. He has to be able to sell his big number, “Gaston,” with gusto and arrogance as well as lead the troops in “The Mob Song.” Biceps can humorously be added, but the bravura needs to be there on the inside! We are looking for an actor who can ham it up! Suggested Vocal Audition: "Kill the Beast"
LEFOU LEFOU is Gaston’s equally dim-witted lackey. Lefou is Gaston’s foil and should double the laughs for them both. Lefou should be able to sing, act and dance. This role can be cast male or female. Very comedic role with physical comedy. Can be played by a guy or gal. Suggested Audition Song: "Kill the Beast", "Be Our Guest"
GASTON’S SILLY GIRLS GASTON’S SILLY GIRLS are in love with Gaston and will do almost anything just to be near him. We are looking for several girls who can portray the comic nature of these roles and who also enjoy playing off each other. The Silly Girls sing together in three numbers, so should be able to harmonize well and their sound should mix well. Suggested Audition Songs: "Home", "Beauty and the Beast"
LUMIERE LUMIERE is a self-confident, charming, French mâitre d’ who (under the Enhantress’ spell) is becoming a candelabra. He has a never-ending give-and-take with Cogsworth, so should be able to play off other actors well. Lumiere should be a strong singer who can “light up” the stage in “Be Our Guest.” You should be using a French accent. This role covers a range of emotions (from charming entertainer to brave soldier) and requires prominent song and dance. We are looking for a strong reliable singer and actor. Can be cast as male or female. Suggested Audition Songs: "Be Our Guest"
COGSWORTH COGSWORTH is the English major-domo of the castle who is becoming a mantle clock. He, like all of the castle’s Servants, shows a fatherly compassion for Belle yet is perfectly submissive to their master, the Beast. Cogsworth has two sides – he is a wee bit of a baby at times yet has no problem “getting into it” with Lumiere. We are looking for a strong actor and singer who enjoys acting “in charge” and is willing to try a British accent. Suggested Audition Song: "Be Our Guest"
MRS. POTTS MRS. POTTS is the castle’s endearing cook who has been enchanted to become a teapot. Mrs. Potts needs a strong, sweet voice and should be able to convey comforting, maternal qualities amidst the chaos that is breaking out at the castle. We are looking for a strong singer/actress who can portray a character whom every audience member would want for a mom, and who is willing to try a British accent. Suggested Audition Song: "Beauty and the Beast"
BABETTE BABETTE is the maid and “resident flirt” of the castle who is turning into a feather duster. She misses the finer things in life as well as just being a girl. Babette is happy to be at Belle’s service at a moment’s notice, but her true heart comes through in “Human Again.” Looking for a good actor with solid vocal skills to handle Babette’s harmonies. Suggested Audition Song: "Beauty and the Beast", "Home"
MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE is an opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe. Madame is almost larger than life in everything she does, including her singing and dancing. Look for that student who can portray the ultimate “diva with a heart” with a big personality and a big voice who can handle harmonies. Suggested Audition Song: "Beauty and the Beast"
CHIP CHIP is Mrs. Potts’s son, who is becoming a teacup. Chip has a wonderful naïveté that endears him to all of the Servants. Cast an actor who can portray the honesty and the spirit of a young person and is comfortable trying to sing Chip’s few solo lines. Chip will win the hearts of the entire audience. Can be cast male or female. Suggested Audition Song: "Be Our Guest"
OLD BEGGAR WOMAN/ENCHANTRESS The OLD BEGGAR WOMAN/ENCHANTRESS should be an actor with the ability to be visually dramatic. Her transformation in the Prologue from the Old Beggar Woman to the Enchantress should magically entice all into the story. Suggested Audition Song: "Be Our Guest", "Beauty and the Beast"
MONSIEUR D'ARQUE MONSIEUR D’ARQUE is the dark, creepy proprietor of the lunatic asylum who adds more tension to the story. We are looking for an actor who can believably interpret this sinister personality. Can be cast male or female. Suggested Audition Song: "Be Our Guest", "Kill the Beast"
SERVANTS The SERVANTS of the castle can include Statues, a Dust Pan, Flatware, Plates, an Egg Timer, Napkins, a Carpet, Salt & Pepper Shakers and whatever other household items or kitchenware you choose to cast in your show. Looking for good singers and dancers as they have two big production numbers to sell. Suggested Audition Song: "Be Our Guest", "Kill the Beast", "Beauty and the Beast"
VILLAGERS AMONG THEM THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS WITH SOLO LINES: 4 NARRATORS, ARISTOCRATIC LADY, FISH SELLER, SAUSAGE GIRL, LADY WITH CANE, EGG SELLER, BAKER, BOOKSELLER, CANDLE MAKER, HAT SELLER, LADY WITH BABY, MILKMAID, SHEPHERD, TAVERN PATRONS, THE ANGRY MOB. The VILLAGERS provide a colorful background singing throughout the show, and several also step into the action when needed to play in certain scenes. The featured roles vary in size and vocal requirements. This busy ensemble will provide vocal power throughout the show and dance in the production numbers. Suggested Audition Songs: "Be Our Guest", "Beauty and the Beast", "Kill the Beast"
Audition Sides
*CHOOSE ONE TO PERFORM* Every student will be asked to perform a side. Please try to memorize your side. We are looking at your acting and speaking voice. If you are not auditioning for one of the roles below, just pick one to perform.
GASTON, BELLE, and LEFOU GASTON: Hello . . . Belle. BELLE: Bonjour, Gaston. (He snatches the book out of her hand.) Gaston. May I have my book, please? GASTON: How can you read this? There’s no pictures. BELLE: Well some people use their imagination! GASTON: Belle, it’s about time you got your head out of these books and paid attention to more important things. LEFOU: Hint . . . hint. BELLE: Like you? GASTON: Exactly!! The whole town’s talking about it. It’s not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting ideas and . . . thinking! BELLE: Gaston, you are positively primeval! GASTON: Why, thank you, Belle. Whaddya say you and me take a walk over to the tavern and take a look at my trophies? BELLE: What do you say . . .we don’t? GASTON: Come on Belle, I think I know how you feel about me. BELLE: You can’t even imagine. (Trying to escape). I have to get inside to help my father. LEFOU: That crazy old fool. He needs all the help he can get! (Gaston and Lefou laugh heartily.) BELLE: Don’t talk about my father that way!! GASTON: (To Lefou) Yeah! Don’t talk about her father that way!! BELLE: My father’s not crazy! He’s a genius!
COGSWORTH and LUMIERE COGWORTH: Couldn’t keep quiet, could we? Just had to invite him to stay, didn’t we? Serve him tea . ., sit in the Master’s chair. LUMIERE: I was trying to be hospitable! COGSWORTH: Rubbish! LUMIERE: Ah, Cogsworth, can you blame me for trying to maintain what’s left of our humanity? Look at us. Look at you! COGSWORTH: What about me? LUMIERE: You always were insufferable. But every day, you become just a little more inflexible... a little more tightly wound... a little more ticked off! COGSWORTH: Please, spare me the stupid puns. LUMIERE: At least, we are not as far gone as some the others. You saw what happened to Michelle. COGSWORTH: She always was too vain about her looks. And that’s exactly what she’s become. LUMIERE: A vanity. COGSWORTH: Little drawers, mirror... the works. LUMIERE: And poor Jean-Claude. COGSWORTH: Who? LUMIERE: Jean-Claude. You remember him, not too bright, dumb as . . . COGSWORTH: (guessing) . . . a brick? LUMIERE: The whole wall. COGSWORTH: Jean-Claude’s a brick wall? LUMIERE: That’s him in the kitchen, behind the stove. COGSWORTH: Tsk . . .tsk. LUMIERE: And you know Guillaume... the houseboy? COGSWORTH: That mealy-mouthed little bootlicker! I’ve never liked him. He’s always groveling at the Master’s feet. LUMIERE: He’s a doormat. COGSWORTH: Perfect. LUMIERE: It’s happening faster with some of the others but we are not far behind. Slowly but surely, as every day passes, we will all gradually become . . . things. COGSWORTH: But why did we have to get dragged into this whole spell business? It’s not like we threw that poor old beggar woman out on her ear. LUMIERE: No, but are we not responsible too? For helping to make him the way he is? COGSWORTH: I suppose so. LUMIERE: All I know is... I will eventually melt away to nothing. I only hope there’s something left of me if the Master ever breaks the spell. COGSWORTH: Hold on, old man. We’ve got to hold on.
BELLE, MRS. POTTS, and WARDROBE BELLE: Who is it? MRS. POTTS: Mrs. Potts, dear. I thought you might like some tea. BELLE: Come in. MRS POTTS: Nothing like a nice warm cup of tea to make the world seem a bit brighter. BELLE: But . . .you’re . . .you’re . . .! MRS POTTS: Mrs. Potts, dear. Very pleased to make your acquaintance. WARDROBE: Careful, darling! BELLE: Wh. . . who are you? WARDROBE: Madame de la Grand Bouche. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? BELLE: Sorry. WARDROBE: You see! They’ve forgotten all about me. One can be and I quote, “The toast of Europe. The brightest star ever to grace the stage,” but fall under one little spell – MRS. POTTS: Sssssh! BELLE: Wait. This is impossible! WARDROBE: I know it is . . . but here we are! Well now, what shall we dress you in for dinner? This is nice. But how would you like to borrow one of my gowns? Let’s see what I’ve got in my drawers . . . Ah, here we are. I wore this the night I performed at the Royal Opera. The King himself was there! Of course, I wouldn’t have a prayer of fitting into it now. Take it . . . BELLE: That’s very kind of you. But I’m not going to dinner. WARDROBE: Don’t be silly. Of course you are. You heard what the Master said. BELLE: He may be your master . . . but he’s not mine! (a beat) I’m sorry. This is just happening so fast. WARDROBE: That was a very brave thing you did, my dear. We all think so. BELLE: I’m going to miss my papa so much!! MRS. POTTS: Cheer up, child. I know things may seem bleak right now, but you mustn’t despair. We’re here to see you through.
BEAST and BELLE BEAST: (To Belle) I thought I told you to come down to dinner! BELLE: (yelling back) I’m not hungry! BEAST: I am the master of this castle and I’m telling you to come to dinner. BELLE: And I’m telling you... I’m not hungry! BEAST: You’re hungry if I say you’re hungry. BELLE: Don’t be ridiculous! BEAST: What did you say? BELLE: You can’t go around ordering people to be hungry. It doesn’t work like that. BEAST: I can... BELLE: Besides, it’s rude. BEAST: Oh? Rude is it? Then how about this, if you don’t come down to dinner, I will drag you by the hair... BELLE: Why are you being such a bully? BEAST: Because I want you to come down to dinner! BELLE: So... you admit you’re being a bully. BEAST: (Gritting his teeth.) Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner? Please. BELLE: No, thank you. BEAST: Fine! Then starve!